US20210240121A1 - Controlling operation of image forming apparatus according to toner refill mode - Google Patents
Controlling operation of image forming apparatus according to toner refill mode Download PDFInfo
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- US20210240121A1 US20210240121A1 US17/051,867 US201817051867A US2021240121A1 US 20210240121 A1 US20210240121 A1 US 20210240121A1 US 201817051867 A US201817051867 A US 201817051867A US 2021240121 A1 US2021240121 A1 US 2021240121A1
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- Prior art keywords
- image forming
- forming device
- mode
- toner
- job
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0877—Arrangements for metering and dispensing developer from a developer cartridge into the development unit
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/55—Self-diagnostics; Malfunction or lifetime display
- G03G15/553—Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job
- G03G15/556—Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job for toner consumption, e.g. pixel counting, toner coverage detection or toner density measurement
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
- G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0894—Reconditioning of the developer unit, i.e. reusing or recycling parts of the unit, e.g. resealing of the unit before refilling with toner
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- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5016—User-machine interface; Display panels; Control console
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/50—Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control
- G03G15/5075—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host
- G03G15/5079—Remote control machines, e.g. by a host for maintenance
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F8/00—Arrangements for software engineering
- G06F8/60—Software deployment
Definitions
- a copier or a laser printer performs copying or printing by using a powdered toner in a cartridge. Since the cartridge containing toner is a consumable but relatively expensive, the toner may be refilled into the cartridge.
- FIG. 1 is a view of an operating method of an image forming device as the image forming device enters a toner refill mode, according to an example
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image forming device according to an example
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device according to an example
- FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process by which an image forming device performs a preparatory operation to enter a refill mode, according to an example
- FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates only an outer panel related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example;
- FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device deactivates a user interface not related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example;
- FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates a user interface related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example
- FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a process by which a web service of an image forming device is blocked in a server providing the web service to the image forming device as the image forming device is operated in a refill mode, according to an example;
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device when an image forming job request is received from a user terminal while a refill mode is in progress in the image forming device, according to an example;
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is included in the image forming device, according to an example.
- FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is not included in the image forming device, according to an example.
- An “image forming device” may be any device capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device.
- print data may be data convertible into a printable format in a printer and a “scan file” may be a file generated by scanning an image with a scanner.
- FIG. 1 is a view of an operating method of an image forming device as the image forming device enters a toner refill mode, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may output a notification indicating that the cartridge needs to be refilled with toner through an output device in the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may notify that the toner refilling is necessary by illuminating a light on the image forming device 10 , for example a red light.
- the image forming device 10 may display, on the user interface device, information indicating that toner refilling is necessary.
- the image forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode for toner refilling. For example, the image forming device 10 may confirm whether a toner refill container is properly connected to a connecting portion of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may control operations of the image forming device 10 in accordance with the refill mode. That is, a processor in the image forming device 10 may control the operations of each element of the image forming device 10 according to the refill mode. The image forming device 10 may control the operations of the image forming device 10 such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress. For example, referring to an image 11 displayed on a user terminal 20 connected to the image forming device 10 , the user terminal 20 may display information for guiding toner refilling.
- the user interface device may display a message 621 informing “unable to use a printing function due to the toner refilling”.
- the image forming device 10 may be switched to a job mode in which a predetermined job may be performed. As the image forming device 10 is switched to the job mode, the image forming device 10 may normally perform the predetermined job.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image forming device according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may include a communication device 210 , an output device 220 , a memory 230 , and a processor 240 .
- a communication device 210 may include a communication device 210 , an output device 220 , a memory 230 , and a processor 240 .
- the image forming device 10 may be embodied with more or fewer elements than the elements shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, examples of the elements will be described.
- the communication device 210 may communicate with an external device.
- the communication device 210 may be connected to a network in a wired or wireless manner and may communicate with the external device.
- the external device may be a server that manages the image forming device 10 or the user terminal 20 that uses the image forming device 10 .
- the communication device 210 may include a communication module (e.g., a transceiver) that supports one of a variety of wired or wireless communication methods.
- the communication module may be in the form of a chipset or may be a sticker/barcode (e.g., a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) or the like that includes information necessary for communication.
- the communication module may be a short-range communication module or a wired communication module.
- the communication device 210 may support at least one of, for example, a wireless LAN, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, a universal serial bus (USB), a Wired LAN, or NFC, or the like.
- a wireless LAN wireless fidelity
- Wi-Fi Direct wireless fidelity
- Bluetooth wireless fidelity
- USB universal serial bus
- Wired LAN Wireless Fidelity
- NFC wireless fidelity
- the communication device 210 may be connected to the user terminal 20 or the server located outside the image forming device 10 to transmit and receive signals or data.
- the output device 220 may display information such as a state of the image forming device 10 .
- the output device 220 may include a display panel, a speaker, a lamp, or the like.
- the display panel may display information related to an operation to be performed in the image forming device 10 or state information of the image forming device 10 .
- the display panel may display capacity information regarding an amount of toner remaining in a cartridge and may also display toner refill guide information.
- the speaker may output guide information for the image forming device 10 .
- the lamp may adjust an output color so as to indicate a state of the image forming device 10 . For example, when toner in the cartridge is exhausted and toner refilling is required, the lamp may emit a red light.
- the output device 220 may be implemented as a user interface device.
- the user interface device may include an input unit for receiving an input for controlling operations of the image forming device 10 and an output unit for displaying operation information and the like of the image forming device 10 .
- the user interface device may include a touch screen.
- the memory 230 may store programs, data or files associated with the image forming device 10 .
- the processor 240 may execute a program stored in the memory 230 , read data or a file stored in the memory 230 , or store a new file in the memory 230 .
- the memory 230 may store program commands, data files, data structures, or a combination thereof.
- the memory 230 may store instructions executable by the processor 240 .
- the memory 230 may include instructions for outputting a notification indicating that the cartridge of the image forming device 10 needs to be refilled with toner, instructions for performing a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode when it is determined that an operation mode of the image forming device 10 is switched to the refill mode for performing an operation of refilling the cartridge with toner, instructions for controlling operations of the image forming device 10 such that only an operation related to the toner refilling is performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed, and instructions for switching the operation mode of the image forming device 10 to a job mode for performing a predetermined job in the image forming device 10 when the refill mode is terminated.
- the processor 240 may execute the instructions stored in the memory 230 .
- the processor 240 may control an operation of the image forming device 10 , and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU).
- the processor 240 may include at least one specialized processor corresponding to each function, or may be a single integrated processor.
- the processor 240 may output a notification indicating that the cartridge of the image forming device 10 needs to be refilled with toner through the output device 220 .
- the processor 240 may obtain information about the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge through a sensor (not shown) to determine whether toner refilling is necessary. Whether toner refilling is necessary may be determined depending on whether toner has been exhausted in the cartridge, whether the capacity of toner that can be refilled in the cartridge may accommodate the capacity of the toner refill container, or the like.
- the sensor may be a thermocouple (TC) sensor, a photo sensor, or the like.
- the processor 240 may detect the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge of the image forming device 10 and determine whether toner refilling is necessary. When it is determined that toner refilling is necessary, the processor 240 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary and toner refill capacity information through the output device 220 . For example, the processor 240 may output a red light to the lamp of the image forming device 10 to inform that toner refilling is necessary. As another example, when the user interface device is provided in the image forming device 10 , the processor 240 may display a message indicating that toner refilling is necessary on the user interface device.
- the processor 240 may perform the preparatory operation for entering the refill mode.
- a sensor (not shown) may be provided in the image forming device 10 to sense whether the toner refill container is connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device 10 .
- the processor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode of the image forming device 10 .
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may receive an input for switching the operation mode of the image forming device 10 to the refill mode. The processor 240 may perform the preparatory operation for entering the refill mode of the image forming device 10 .
- the processor 240 may confirm whether the toner refill container for toner refilling is properly connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device 10 .
- the processor 240 may confirm whether the cartridge in the image forming device 10 is mounted.
- the processor 240 may confirm whether there is a job in progress in the image forming device 10 and prepare the image forming device 10 to enter the refill mode.
- the processor 240 may complete or stop the job in progress and prepare to be in a state in which no job is in progress.
- the job in progress may be an image forming job, a copy job, a scan job, a fax job, a job for installing or updating an application in the image forming device 10 , or the like.
- the processor 240 may perform the first job up to a first operation in progress and may stop operations performed after the first operation.
- the processor 240 may store the state in which the first job is stopped in a job list of the image forming device 10 .
- the processor 240 restarts the stopped first job to complete the first job.
- the processor 240 may control operations of the image forming device 10 such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed.
- the processor 240 may activate only an outer panel of the image forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress.
- the processor 240 may not perform an operation corresponding to a first input such as when receiving the first input that presses the outer panel not related to the refill mode.
- the processor 240 may output information through the output device 220 indicating that the operation corresponding to the first input may not be performed.
- the communication device 210 may transmit information indicating that the operation corresponding to the first input may not be performed to the user terminal 20 .
- the processor 240 may control the image forming device 10 so that only a user interface of the image forming device 10 is displayed on the user interface device, the user interface being related to the refill mode.
- the processor 240 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in the image forming device 10 through the external device or an input device of the image forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling, and may perform only the operation related to the toner refilling.
- the processor 240 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in the image forming device 10 through the external device or the input device of the image forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling.
- the processor 240 may control operations of the image forming device 10 such that the operation is not performed while the refill mode is in progress, and may store a command corresponding to the operation in the job list.
- the operation not related to the toner refilling may include an operation of performing an image forming job, an operation of performing a copy job, an operation of performing a scan job, an operation of performing a fax job, an operation of installing or updating an application in the image forming device 10 , or the like.
- the processor 240 may store commands corresponding to each of the plurality of operation requests in an order requested in the job list.
- the processor 240 may output a message through the output device indicating that a job requested during the refill mode cannot be performed.
- the communication device 210 may transmit a message to the user terminal 20 indicating that the job requested during the refill mode cannot be performed.
- the processor 240 may transmit information indicating that the operation mode of the image forming device 10 has entered the refill mode to the server connected to the image forming device 10 through the communication device 210 .
- the processor 240 may control the communication device 210 to block reception of information used to install or update the application from the server.
- the processor 240 may control operations of the image forming device 10 such that the operation is performed.
- the processor 240 may output the information about a toner refill guide and the state information of the image forming device 10 through the output device 220 while the refill mode is in progress. For example, when the output device 220 includes a user interface device, the processor 240 may display guide information until a toner refill container is mounted on the image forming device 10 and the toner refilling is terminated through the user interface device.
- the processor 240 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device 10 to a job mode in which a predetermined job is performed in the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may store commands corresponding to the requests in the job list in an order in which the requests are received.
- the processor 240 may sequentially perform operations corresponding to the requests based on the job list.
- the image forming device 10 may accurately determine a point in time at which toner is refilled in the cartridge and may enter the refill mode of the image forming device 10 . While the image forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, the image forming device 10 may restrictively permit an operation requested to be performed in the image forming device 10 so that toner may be stably refilled in the cartridge.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary for the cartridge in the image forming device 10 in operation 310 .
- the image forming device 10 may detect the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge of the image forming device 10 and determine whether toner refilling is necessary. If it is determined that toner refilling is necessary, the image forming device 10 may provide at least one of the notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary or toner refill capacity information through the output device of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode.
- the image forming device 10 may confirm whether a toner refill container for toner refilling is properly connected to a connecting portion of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may confirm whether there is a job in progress in the image forming device 10 and prepare the operation mode of the image forming device 10 to enter the refill mode.
- the processor 240 may perform the first job up to a first operation in progress and may stop operations performed after the first operation.
- the image forming device 10 may store a state in which the first job is stopped in the job list of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may control its operations such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed.
- the image forming device 10 may activate only an outer panel of the image forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress. Furthermore, the image forming device 10 may control its operations so that only a user interface of the image forming device 10 is displayed on the user interface device of the image forming device 10 , the user interface being related to the refill mode.
- the image forming device 10 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in the image forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling and may perform only the operation related to the toner refilling.
- the image forming device 10 may control operations of the image forming device 10 such that the first operation is not performed while the refill mode is in progress.
- the image forming device 10 may store a command corresponding to the first operation in a job list.
- the image forming device 10 may perform the first operation.
- the image forming device 10 may control its operations such that the second operation is performed.
- the image forming device 10 may display toner refilling guide information and state information of the image forming device 10 while the refill mode is in progress.
- the image forming device 10 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device 10 to a job mode in which a predetermined job is performed in the image forming device 10 .
- FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process by which an image forming device performs a preparatory operation to enter a refill mode, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode.
- the image forming device 10 may refill a cartridge with toner according to the refill mode.
- the image forming device 10 may restrict operations other than the toner refilling in the image forming device 10 for efficient toner refilling.
- the image forming device 10 may complete jobs in progress or suspend the jobs while leaving some jobs before the operation mode of the image forming device 10 enters the refill mode.
- the first job in progress in the image forming device 10 is a 7-page print job.
- the image forming device 10 may perform the print job only up to the third page being printed and stop the print job of the remaining four pages.
- the image forming device 10 may store state information of the first job, in which first to third page print jobs are completed and fourth to seventh page print jobs are not completed, in the job list.
- the image forming device 10 may display, on the user interface device of the image forming device 10 , information indicating that the first job, which is the print jobs, has been stopped when the refill mode is in progress. As shown in FIG. 4 , the image forming device 10 may display information 410 indicating that the print job is stopped according to the refill mode of the image forming device 10 and information 420 indicating the progress of the print job.
- the image forming device 10 may transmit information to the user terminal 20 notifying that the print job is stopped.
- FIG. 4 shows an example in which a job in progress in the image forming device 10 is the print job.
- the job in progress may be a copy job, a scan job, a fax job, an application management job in the image forming device 10 , or the like.
- FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates only an outer panel related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may include an outer panel 510 .
- the outer panel 510 may include a display screen 51 , a lamp 52 indicating the state of toner, a menu button 53 in the image forming device 10 , a movement button 54 used for selecting information displayed on the display screen 51 , a confirmation button 55 , a back button 56 , a cancel button 57 , a power button 58 , a lamp 59 indicating a state of the image forming device 10 , a button 60 for printing a demo page, a button 61 for switching the consumption of toner to an eco mode, and a numeric keypad 62 .
- the image forming device 10 may activate only the outer panel 510 of the image forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress. For example, in the outer panel 510 of FIG. 5 , the image forming device 10 may activate only the lamp 52 indicating a state of toner, the movement button 54 , the confirmation button 55 , the back button 56 , and the cancel button 57 , and may deactivate the remaining buttons. Further, the image forming device 10 may display information related to the refill mode on the display screen 51 .
- the image forming device 10 may include an outer panel 520 .
- the outer panel 520 may include a plurality of buttons that can control operations of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may activate only a button 521 including a movement button, an OK button, a back button, and a button 522 including a cancel button and a help button. Therefore, even if a user presses a button other than the button 521 and the button 522 while the image forming device 10 is operating in the refill mode, the image forming device 10 does not perform an operation corresponding to the pressed button.
- FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device deactivates a user interface not related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example.
- a user interface device of the image forming device 10 may display a user interface 610 including icons related to operations that can be performed in the image forming device 10 .
- the user interface 610 may display a print job icon, a scan and transfer icon, an icon for providing a space for storing files in the image forming device 10 , an icon for providing job state information in the image forming device 10 , an icon for providing information about a toner state and toner refilling, an icon for setting an environment in the image forming device 10 , and the like.
- the image forming device 10 may deactivate the user interface 610 of the image forming device 10 not related to the refill mode. For example, a user may select a print job icon 611 for printing through the user interface device of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may determine that an operation due to a print job requested by the user is an operation not related to the toner refilling and may not perform the print job.
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may display a screen 620 including a message 621 such as “Print function is not available due to toner refilling” on the user interface 610 .
- the image forming device 10 may store a command corresponding to the print job requested by the user in a job list. When the refill mode of the image forming device 10 is terminated, the image forming device 10 may perform the print job requested by the user based on the job list.
- FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates a user interface related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may activate a user interface 710 of the image forming device 10 related to the refill mode. For example, a user may select an icon 711 for providing information about a toner state and toner refilling through the user interface device of the image forming device 10 .
- the image forming device 10 may determine an execution operation of the icon 711 as an operation related to toner refilling, and may execute the icon 711 .
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may display a screen 720 including information related to the toner refilling.
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may display current capacity information regarding toner remaining in a cartridge, recommendation information regarding the capacity of toner to be refilled, and toner refilling guide information.
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may receive an input for agreeing to guide a toner refill method.
- the user interface device of the image forming device 10 may display the toner refilling guide information.
- FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a process by which a web service of an image forming device is blocked in a server providing the web service to the image forming device as the image forming device is operated in a refill mode, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may control the operation of the image forming device 10 such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed. Therefore, the image forming device 10 may control not to perform an operation not related to the toner refilling during the refill mode.
- a server for providing a security service of the image forming device 10 may be connected to the image forming device 10 to control the image forming device 10 remotely. However, when the operation mode of the image forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, the server may be disconnected from the image forming device 10 and fail to provide the security service. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , an operation for connecting the server to the image forming device 10 and restarting the image forming device 10 may be blocked. A message 810 informing that the security service cannot be provided while operating in the refill mode of the image forming device 10 may be displayed at a site provided by the server.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device when an image forming job request is received from a user terminal while a refill mode is in progress in the image forming device, according to an example.
- the image forming device 10 may receive an image forming job request from the user terminal 20 in operation 910 .
- the image forming device 10 may determine whether an operation mode of the image forming device 10 is the refill mode. When the operation mode of the image forming device 10 is the refill mode, the image forming device 10 may perform an operation according to operation 930 . When the operation mode of the image forming device 10 is not the refill mode, the image forming device 10 may perform an operation according to operation 960 .
- the image forming device 10 may transmit, to the user terminal 20 , information indicating that an image forming job cannot be performed due to the refill mode. In addition, the image forming device 10 may transmit, to the user terminal 20 , information about another image forming device 10 capable of performing an image forming job.
- the image forming device 10 may determine whether the image forming job request received from the user terminal 20 is canceled. When it is determined that the image forming job request is not canceled, the image forming device 10 may perform an operation according to operation 950 . When it is determined that the image forming job request is canceled, the image forming device 10 may perform an operation according to the refill mode.
- the image forming device 10 may store the image forming job request in a job list.
- the image forming device 10 may perform a job according to an order stored in the job list.
- the image forming device 10 may perform an image forming operation according the image forming job request.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is included in the image forming device, according to an example.
- a user may refill the cartridge with toner.
- an operation mode of the image forming device may enter a refill mode and the image forming device may control each element of the image forming device according to the refill mode to perform efficient toner refilling.
- the image forming device may include the communication device 210 , a user interface device 221 , the memory 230 , the processor 240 , and a sensor 250 .
- the image forming device may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode before the operation mode of the image forming device enters the refill mode.
- the image forming device refills the cartridge with toner, and may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed.
- the image forming device may switch the operation mode to a job mode and perform operations according to the job mode.
- the communication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from an external device.
- the predetermined job may include an image forming job, a scan job, a fax job, an operation of installing or updating an application in the image forming device, or the like.
- the processor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the predetermined job request.
- the communication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device. For example, when the predetermined job is an image forming job, the communication device 210 may transmit a message to the external device to inform that the image forming job is terminated.
- the sensor 250 may sense that toner in the cartridge of the image forming device is exhausted and the toner refilling is necessary.
- the user interface device 221 may output a notification indicating that the toner refilling is necessary.
- the sensor 250 may sense that a toner refill container is connected to a connecting portion of the image forming device.
- the processor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode of the image forming device.
- the sensor 250 may confirm that toner refilling is performed properly. For example, the sensor 250 may confirm whether the toner refill container is properly connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device. When the toner refill container is not properly connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device, the sensor 250 may output a warning sound.
- the communication device 210 may receive the predetermined job request from the external device.
- the processor 240 may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress.
- the processor 240 may determine whether the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation related to the toner refilling.
- the communication device 210 may transmit to the external device a message indicating that the image forming device is in the refill mode and a message indicating that the requested operation cannot be performed according to the refill mode.
- the memory 230 may store the requested predetermined job in a job list.
- the user interface device 221 may display toner refilling guide information and state information regarding the image forming device.
- the sensor 250 may sense that the toner refilling of the cartridge is completed.
- the processor 240 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device to the job mode.
- the processor 240 may perform jobs according to an order stored in the job list.
- the user interface device 221 may display information related to the jobs performed on the image forming device.
- the user interface device 221 may receive a user input related to the jobs performed on the image forming device.
- the communication device 210 may receive a request for the predetermined job from the external device.
- the processor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the request.
- the communication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device.
- FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is not included in the image forming device, according to an example.
- the image forming device may include the communication device 210 , the output device 220 , the memory 230 , and the processor 240 .
- the user terminal 20 shown in FIG. 11 may perform the same operation as that of the user interface device in the image forming device shown in FIG. 10 .
- the image forming device may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode before an operation mode of the image forming device enters the refill mode.
- the image forming device refills a cartridge with toner, and may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed.
- the image forming device may switch the operation mode to a job mode and perform operations according to the job mode.
- Operations of each element shown in blocks 6 - 1 , 6 - 2 , and 6 - 3 are examples, and each element may operate in a different order than the shown order.
- the communication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from an external device.
- the processor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the predetermined job request.
- the communication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device.
- the processor 240 may detect that toner refilling is necessary.
- the output device 220 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary.
- the user terminal 20 may receive information indicating that toner refilling is necessary from the image forming device and display the information.
- the processor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the operation mode of the image forming device into the refill mode.
- the processor 240 may control operations of each element of the image forming device so that toner refilling may be performed.
- the processor 240 may confirm whether the toner refilling is being performed correctly.
- the communication device 210 may receive the predetermined job request from the external device.
- the processor 240 may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress.
- the processor 240 may determine whether the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation related to the toner refilling.
- the communication device 210 may transmit to the external device a message indicating that the image forming device is in the refill mode and a message indicating that the requested operation cannot be performed according to the refill mode.
- the memory 230 may store the requested predetermined job in a job list.
- the output device 220 may output a notification indicating that the toner refilling is completed.
- the user interface device 221 may display toner refilling guide information during the toner refilling and display information indicating that the toner refilling is completed and state information of the image forming device when the toner refilling is completed.
- the processor 240 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device to the job mode.
- the processor 240 may perform jobs according to an order stored in the job list.
- the user terminal 20 may display information related to the jobs performed on the image forming device. In addition, the user terminal 20 may receive a user input related to the jobs performed on the image forming device.
- the communication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from the external device.
- the processor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the request.
- the communication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device.
- the operating methods of the image forming device 10 and the user terminal 20 described above may be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions or data executable by a computer or a processor.
- the examples can be written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute programs using the computer-readable recording medium.
- the computer-readable recording medium may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-DVD-Rs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, or solid-state disks (SSD), and may be any device capable of storing instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures, and providing the instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions.
- ROM read only memory
- RAM random access memory
- flash memory CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-DVD-Rs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD
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Abstract
Description
- Generally, a copier or a laser printer performs copying or printing by using a powdered toner in a cartridge. Since the cartridge containing toner is a consumable but relatively expensive, the toner may be refilled into the cartridge.
- The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain examples of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a view of an operating method of an image forming device as the image forming device enters a toner refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image forming device according to an example; -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device according to an example; -
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process by which an image forming device performs a preparatory operation to enter a refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates only an outer panel related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device deactivates a user interface not related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates a user interface related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a process by which a web service of an image forming device is blocked in a server providing the web service to the image forming device as the image forming device is operated in a refill mode, according to an example; -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device when an image forming job request is received from a user terminal while a refill mode is in progress in the image forming device, according to an example; -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is included in the image forming device, according to an example; and -
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is not included in the image forming device, according to an example. - Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, parts, components, and structures.
- An “image forming device” may be any device capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a copier, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display device. Also, “print data” may be data convertible into a printable format in a printer and a “scan file” may be a file generated by scanning an image with a scanner.
- Below, a description will be given about examples of the present disclosure with reference to attached drawings such that one with an ordinary skill in the art may easily perform the examples. In this regard, the present disclosure may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.
-
FIG. 1 is a view of an operating method of an image forming device as the image forming device enters a toner refill mode, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , when toner in a cartridge of animage forming device 10 is exhausted, theimage forming device 10 may output a notification indicating that the cartridge needs to be refilled with toner through an output device in theimage forming device 10. For example, when theimage forming device 10 does not include a user interface device, theimage forming device 10 may notify that the toner refilling is necessary by illuminating a light on theimage forming device 10, for example a red light. As another example, when theimage forming device 10 includes a user interface device, theimage forming device 10 may display, on the user interface device, information indicating that toner refilling is necessary. - The
image forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode for toner refilling. For example, theimage forming device 10 may confirm whether a toner refill container is properly connected to a connecting portion of theimage forming device 10. - The
image forming device 10 may control operations of theimage forming device 10 in accordance with the refill mode. That is, a processor in theimage forming device 10 may control the operations of each element of theimage forming device 10 according to the refill mode. Theimage forming device 10 may control the operations of theimage forming device 10 such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress. For example, referring to animage 11 displayed on auser terminal 20 connected to theimage forming device 10, theuser terminal 20 may display information for guiding toner refilling. As another example, referring to animage 12 displayed on the user interface device of theimage forming device 10, when there is a print job request to theimage forming device 10 while theimage forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, the user interface device may display amessage 621 informing “unable to use a printing function due to the toner refilling”. - When the refill mode of the
image forming device 10 is completed or otherwise terminated, theimage forming device 10 may be switched to a job mode in which a predetermined job may be performed. As theimage forming device 10 is switched to the job mode, theimage forming device 10 may normally perform the predetermined job. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration of an image forming device according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 2 , theimage forming device 10 may include acommunication device 210, anoutput device 220, amemory 230, and aprocessor 240. However, not all elements shown in the drawings are necessary elements. Theimage forming device 10 may be embodied with more or fewer elements than the elements shown in the drawings. Hereinafter, examples of the elements will be described. - The
communication device 210 may communicate with an external device. In more detail, thecommunication device 210 may be connected to a network in a wired or wireless manner and may communicate with the external device. For example, the external device may be a server that manages theimage forming device 10 or theuser terminal 20 that uses theimage forming device 10. Thecommunication device 210 may include a communication module (e.g., a transceiver) that supports one of a variety of wired or wireless communication methods. For example, the communication module may be in the form of a chipset or may be a sticker/barcode (e.g., a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) or the like that includes information necessary for communication. The communication module may be a short-range communication module or a wired communication module. - The
communication device 210 may support at least one of, for example, a wireless LAN, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth, a universal serial bus (USB), a Wired LAN, or NFC, or the like. - The
communication device 210 may be connected to theuser terminal 20 or the server located outside theimage forming device 10 to transmit and receive signals or data. - The
output device 220 may display information such as a state of theimage forming device 10. For example, theoutput device 220 may include a display panel, a speaker, a lamp, or the like. In more detail, the display panel may display information related to an operation to be performed in theimage forming device 10 or state information of theimage forming device 10. Further, the display panel may display capacity information regarding an amount of toner remaining in a cartridge and may also display toner refill guide information. The speaker may output guide information for theimage forming device 10. The lamp may adjust an output color so as to indicate a state of theimage forming device 10. For example, when toner in the cartridge is exhausted and toner refilling is required, the lamp may emit a red light. - The
output device 220 may be implemented as a user interface device. The user interface device may include an input unit for receiving an input for controlling operations of theimage forming device 10 and an output unit for displaying operation information and the like of theimage forming device 10. As an example, the user interface device may include a touch screen. - The
memory 230 may store programs, data or files associated with theimage forming device 10. For example, theprocessor 240 may execute a program stored in thememory 230, read data or a file stored in thememory 230, or store a new file in thememory 230. Thememory 230 may store program commands, data files, data structures, or a combination thereof. Thememory 230 may store instructions executable by theprocessor 240. - For example, the
memory 230 may include instructions for outputting a notification indicating that the cartridge of theimage forming device 10 needs to be refilled with toner, instructions for performing a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode when it is determined that an operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is switched to the refill mode for performing an operation of refilling the cartridge with toner, instructions for controlling operations of theimage forming device 10 such that only an operation related to the toner refilling is performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed, and instructions for switching the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 to a job mode for performing a predetermined job in theimage forming device 10 when the refill mode is terminated. Theprocessor 240 may execute the instructions stored in thememory 230. - The
processor 240 may control an operation of theimage forming device 10, and may include at least one processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU). Theprocessor 240 may include at least one specialized processor corresponding to each function, or may be a single integrated processor. - The
processor 240 may output a notification indicating that the cartridge of theimage forming device 10 needs to be refilled with toner through theoutput device 220. - For example, the
processor 240 may obtain information about the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge through a sensor (not shown) to determine whether toner refilling is necessary. Whether toner refilling is necessary may be determined depending on whether toner has been exhausted in the cartridge, whether the capacity of toner that can be refilled in the cartridge may accommodate the capacity of the toner refill container, or the like. Here, the sensor (not shown) may be a thermocouple (TC) sensor, a photo sensor, or the like. - The
processor 240 may detect the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge of theimage forming device 10 and determine whether toner refilling is necessary. When it is determined that toner refilling is necessary, theprocessor 240 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary and toner refill capacity information through theoutput device 220. For example, theprocessor 240 may output a red light to the lamp of theimage forming device 10 to inform that toner refilling is necessary. As another example, when the user interface device is provided in theimage forming device 10, theprocessor 240 may display a message indicating that toner refilling is necessary on the user interface device. - In accordance with the notification, when it is determined that the operation mode of the
image forming device 10 is switched to the refill mode for refilling the cartridge with toner, theprocessor 240 may perform the preparatory operation for entering the refill mode. - For example, a sensor (not shown) may be provided in the
image forming device 10 to sense whether the toner refill container is connected to the connecting portion of theimage forming device 10. When the toner refill container is sensed, theprocessor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode of theimage forming device 10. As another example, the user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may receive an input for switching the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 to the refill mode. Theprocessor 240 may perform the preparatory operation for entering the refill mode of theimage forming device 10. - With regard to the preparatory operation for entering the refill mode, for example, the
processor 240 may confirm whether the toner refill container for toner refilling is properly connected to the connecting portion of theimage forming device 10. In addition, theprocessor 240 may confirm whether the cartridge in theimage forming device 10 is mounted. Furthermore, theprocessor 240 may confirm whether there is a job in progress in theimage forming device 10 and prepare theimage forming device 10 to enter the refill mode. When there is a job in progress in theimage forming device 10, theprocessor 240 may complete or stop the job in progress and prepare to be in a state in which no job is in progress. Here, the job in progress may be an image forming job, a copy job, a scan job, a fax job, a job for installing or updating an application in theimage forming device 10, or the like. - For example, when a first job in progress in the
image forming device 10 is a job performed with a plurality of operations, theprocessor 240 may perform the first job up to a first operation in progress and may stop operations performed after the first operation. Theprocessor 240 may store the state in which the first job is stopped in a job list of theimage forming device 10. When the toner refilling in theimage forming device 10 is terminated and the refill mode of theimage forming device 10 is switched to the job mode, theprocessor 240 restarts the stopped first job to complete the first job. - The
processor 240 may control operations of theimage forming device 10 such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed. - For example, the
processor 240 may activate only an outer panel of theimage forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress. Theprocessor 240 may not perform an operation corresponding to a first input such as when receiving the first input that presses the outer panel not related to the refill mode. In this case, theprocessor 240 may output information through theoutput device 220 indicating that the operation corresponding to the first input may not be performed. In addition, thecommunication device 210 may transmit information indicating that the operation corresponding to the first input may not be performed to theuser terminal 20. - Furthermore, when the
output device 220 includes the user interface device, theprocessor 240 may control theimage forming device 10 so that only a user interface of theimage forming device 10 is displayed on the user interface device, the user interface being related to the refill mode. - Further, the
processor 240 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in theimage forming device 10 through the external device or an input device of theimage forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling, and may perform only the operation related to the toner refilling. - In more detail, the
processor 240 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in theimage forming device 10 through the external device or the input device of theimage forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling. - When the operation requested to be performed in the
image forming device 10 is an operation not related to the toner refilling, theprocessor 240 may control operations of theimage forming device 10 such that the operation is not performed while the refill mode is in progress, and may store a command corresponding to the operation in the job list. - Here, the operation not related to the toner refilling may include an operation of performing an image forming job, an operation of performing a copy job, an operation of performing a scan job, an operation of performing a fax job, an operation of installing or updating an application in the
image forming device 10, or the like. - When a plurality of operation requests not related to the toner refilling are received by the
image forming device 10 while the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is the refill mode, theprocessor 240 may store commands corresponding to each of the plurality of operation requests in an order requested in the job list. Theprocessor 240 may output a message through the output device indicating that a job requested during the refill mode cannot be performed. In addition, thecommunication device 210 may transmit a message to theuser terminal 20 indicating that the job requested during the refill mode cannot be performed. - For example, when an operation not related to the toner refilling is an operation of installing or updating an application in the
image forming device 10, theprocessor 240 may transmit information indicating that the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 has entered the refill mode to the server connected to theimage forming device 10 through thecommunication device 210. In addition, theprocessor 240 may control thecommunication device 210 to block reception of information used to install or update the application from the server. - When the operation requested to be performed in the
image forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling, theprocessor 240 may control operations of theimage forming device 10 such that the operation is performed. - The
processor 240 may output the information about a toner refill guide and the state information of theimage forming device 10 through theoutput device 220 while the refill mode is in progress. For example, when theoutput device 220 includes a user interface device, theprocessor 240 may display guide information until a toner refill container is mounted on theimage forming device 10 and the toner refilling is terminated through the user interface device. - When the refill mode is terminated, the
processor 240 may switch the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 to a job mode in which a predetermined job is performed in theimage forming device 10. - When the
image forming device 10 receives requests for operations not related to the toner refilling while operating in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may store commands corresponding to the requests in the job list in an order in which the requests are received. When the refill mode is terminated and the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is switched to the job mode, theprocessor 240 may sequentially perform operations corresponding to the requests based on the job list. - The
image forming device 10 may accurately determine a point in time at which toner is refilled in the cartridge and may enter the refill mode of theimage forming device 10. While theimage forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may restrictively permit an operation requested to be performed in theimage forming device 10 so that toner may be stably refilled in the cartridge. - Various applications or operations performed by the
image forming device 10 will be described below. However, various features, which may be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art even without specifying any one of thecommunication device 210, theoutput device 220, thememory 230, and theprocessor 240 of theimage forming device 10, may be understood by general implementation, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the physical/logical structures or the terms of specific configurations. -
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , theimage forming device 10 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary for the cartridge in theimage forming device 10 inoperation 310. - The
image forming device 10 may detect the amount of toner remaining in the cartridge of theimage forming device 10 and determine whether toner refilling is necessary. If it is determined that toner refilling is necessary, theimage forming device 10 may provide at least one of the notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary or toner refill capacity information through the output device of theimage forming device 10. - In
operation 320, in accordance with the notification, when it is determined that the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is to be switched to the refill mode for refilling the cartridge with toner, theimage forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode. - The
image forming device 10 may confirm whether a toner refill container for toner refilling is properly connected to a connecting portion of theimage forming device 10. Theimage forming device 10 may confirm whether there is a job in progress in theimage forming device 10 and prepare the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 to enter the refill mode. - For example, when a first job in progress in the
image forming device 10 is a job performed with a plurality of operations, theprocessor 240 may perform the first job up to a first operation in progress and may stop operations performed after the first operation. Theimage forming device 10 may store a state in which the first job is stopped in the job list of theimage forming device 10. - In
operation 330, theimage forming device 10 may control its operations such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed according to the refill mode when the preparatory operation is completed. - The
image forming device 10 may activate only an outer panel of theimage forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress. Furthermore, theimage forming device 10 may control its operations so that only a user interface of theimage forming device 10 is displayed on the user interface device of theimage forming device 10, the user interface being related to the refill mode. - Furthermore, the
image forming device 10 may determine whether an operation requested to be performed in theimage forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling and may perform only the operation related to the toner refilling. - In more detail, when the first operation requested to be performed in the
image forming device 10 is an operation not related to the toner refilling, theimage forming device 10 may control operations of theimage forming device 10 such that the first operation is not performed while the refill mode is in progress. Theimage forming device 10 may store a command corresponding to the first operation in a job list. When the refill mode is subsequently completed or otherwise terminated, theimage forming device 10 may perform the first operation. - When a second operation requested to be performed in the
image forming device 10 is an operation related to the toner refilling, theimage forming device 10 may control its operations such that the second operation is performed. - Furthermore, the
image forming device 10 may display toner refilling guide information and state information of theimage forming device 10 while the refill mode is in progress. - In
operation 340, when the refill mode is terminated, theimage forming device 10 may switch the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 to a job mode in which a predetermined job is performed in theimage forming device 10. -
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process by which an image forming device performs a preparatory operation to enter a refill mode, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , theimage forming device 10 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode. When theimage forming device 10 operates in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may refill a cartridge with toner according to the refill mode. In this case, theimage forming device 10 may restrict operations other than the toner refilling in theimage forming device 10 for efficient toner refilling. Theimage forming device 10 may complete jobs in progress or suspend the jobs while leaving some jobs before the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 enters the refill mode. - For example, it is assumed that the first job in progress in the
image forming device 10 is a 7-page print job. When the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is to enter the refill mode during the print job, theimage forming device 10 may perform the print job only up to the third page being printed and stop the print job of the remaining four pages. Theimage forming device 10 may store state information of the first job, in which first to third page print jobs are completed and fourth to seventh page print jobs are not completed, in the job list. - The
image forming device 10 may display, on the user interface device of theimage forming device 10, information indicating that the first job, which is the print jobs, has been stopped when the refill mode is in progress. As shown inFIG. 4 , theimage forming device 10 may displayinformation 410 indicating that the print job is stopped according to the refill mode of theimage forming device 10 andinformation 420 indicating the progress of the print job. - Further, the
image forming device 10 may transmit information to theuser terminal 20 notifying that the print job is stopped. -
FIG. 4 shows an example in which a job in progress in theimage forming device 10 is the print job. However, the job in progress may be a copy job, a scan job, a fax job, an application management job in theimage forming device 10, or the like. -
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates only an outer panel related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 5 , theimage forming device 10 may include anouter panel 510. Theouter panel 510 may include adisplay screen 51, alamp 52 indicating the state of toner, amenu button 53 in theimage forming device 10, amovement button 54 used for selecting information displayed on thedisplay screen 51, aconfirmation button 55, aback button 56, a cancelbutton 57, apower button 58, alamp 59 indicating a state of theimage forming device 10, abutton 60 for printing a demo page, abutton 61 for switching the consumption of toner to an eco mode, and anumeric keypad 62. - The
image forming device 10 may activate only theouter panel 510 of theimage forming device 10 related to the refill mode while the refill mode is in progress. For example, in theouter panel 510 ofFIG. 5 , theimage forming device 10 may activate only thelamp 52 indicating a state of toner, themovement button 54, theconfirmation button 55, theback button 56, and the cancelbutton 57, and may deactivate the remaining buttons. Further, theimage forming device 10 may display information related to the refill mode on thedisplay screen 51. - In another example, the
image forming device 10 may include anouter panel 520. Theouter panel 520 may include a plurality of buttons that can control operations of theimage forming device 10. When theimage forming device 10 operates in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may activate only abutton 521 including a movement button, an OK button, a back button, and abutton 522 including a cancel button and a help button. Therefore, even if a user presses a button other than thebutton 521 and thebutton 522 while theimage forming device 10 is operating in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 does not perform an operation corresponding to the pressed button. -
FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device deactivates a user interface not related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 6 , a user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may display auser interface 610 including icons related to operations that can be performed in theimage forming device 10. Theuser interface 610 may display a print job icon, a scan and transfer icon, an icon for providing a space for storing files in theimage forming device 10, an icon for providing job state information in theimage forming device 10, an icon for providing information about a toner state and toner refilling, an icon for setting an environment in theimage forming device 10, and the like. - When the
image forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may deactivate theuser interface 610 of theimage forming device 10 not related to the refill mode. For example, a user may select aprint job icon 611 for printing through the user interface device of theimage forming device 10. Theimage forming device 10 may determine that an operation due to a print job requested by the user is an operation not related to the toner refilling and may not perform the print job. For example, the user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may display ascreen 620 including amessage 621 such as “Print function is not available due to toner refilling” on theuser interface 610. - The
image forming device 10 may store a command corresponding to the print job requested by the user in a job list. When the refill mode of theimage forming device 10 is terminated, theimage forming device 10 may perform the print job requested by the user based on the job list. -
FIG. 7 is a view for explaining an operation by which an image forming device activates a user interface related to a refill mode as the image forming device is operated in the refill mode, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , when theimage forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may activate auser interface 710 of theimage forming device 10 related to the refill mode. For example, a user may select anicon 711 for providing information about a toner state and toner refilling through the user interface device of theimage forming device 10. - Based on receiving an input for selecting the
icon 711, theimage forming device 10 may determine an execution operation of theicon 711 as an operation related to toner refilling, and may execute theicon 711. For example, the user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may display ascreen 720 including information related to the toner refilling. In more detail, the user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may display current capacity information regarding toner remaining in a cartridge, recommendation information regarding the capacity of toner to be refilled, and toner refilling guide information. - Referring to the
screen 720 ofFIG. 7 , the user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may receive an input for agreeing to guide a toner refill method. The user interface device of theimage forming device 10 may display the toner refilling guide information. -
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining a process by which a web service of an image forming device is blocked in a server providing the web service to the image forming device as the image forming device is operated in a refill mode, according to an example. - While the
image forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may control the operation of theimage forming device 10 such that only an operation related to toner refilling may be performed. Therefore, theimage forming device 10 may control not to perform an operation not related to the toner refilling during the refill mode. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , a server for providing a security service of theimage forming device 10 may be connected to theimage forming device 10 to control theimage forming device 10 remotely. However, when the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is operated in the refill mode, the server may be disconnected from theimage forming device 10 and fail to provide the security service. For example, as shown inFIG. 8 , an operation for connecting the server to theimage forming device 10 and restarting theimage forming device 10 may be blocked. Amessage 810 informing that the security service cannot be provided while operating in the refill mode of theimage forming device 10 may be displayed at a site provided by the server. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an image forming device when an image forming job request is received from a user terminal while a refill mode is in progress in the image forming device, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 9 , theimage forming device 10 may receive an image forming job request from theuser terminal 20 inoperation 910. - In
operation 920, theimage forming device 10 may determine whether an operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is the refill mode. When the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may perform an operation according tooperation 930. When the operation mode of theimage forming device 10 is not the refill mode, theimage forming device 10 may perform an operation according tooperation 960. - In
operation 930, theimage forming device 10 may transmit, to theuser terminal 20, information indicating that an image forming job cannot be performed due to the refill mode. In addition, theimage forming device 10 may transmit, to theuser terminal 20, information about anotherimage forming device 10 capable of performing an image forming job. - In
operation 940, theimage forming device 10 may determine whether the image forming job request received from theuser terminal 20 is canceled. When it is determined that the image forming job request is not canceled, theimage forming device 10 may perform an operation according tooperation 950. When it is determined that the image forming job request is canceled, theimage forming device 10 may perform an operation according to the refill mode. - In
operation 950, theimage forming device 10 may store the image forming job request in a job list. Inoperation 960, after the refill mode of theimage forming device 10 is terminated and the operation mode is changed to a job mode, theimage forming device 10 may perform a job according to an order stored in the job list. Theimage forming device 10 may perform an image forming operation according the image forming job request. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is included in the image forming device, according to an example. - When toner in a cartridge of the image forming device is exhausted, a user may refill the cartridge with toner. In the process of refilling the cartridge with toner, an operation mode of the image forming device may enter a refill mode and the image forming device may control each element of the image forming device according to the refill mode to perform efficient toner refilling.
- Referring to
FIG. 10 , the image forming device may include thecommunication device 210, auser interface device 221, thememory 230, theprocessor 240, and asensor 250. Referring to block 5-1 ofFIG. 10 , the image forming device may perform a preparatory operation for entering the refill mode before the operation mode of the image forming device enters the refill mode. Referring to block 5-2, while the operation mode of the image forming device is entering the refill mode, the image forming device refills the cartridge with toner, and may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed. Referring to block 5-3, when the refill mode is terminated, the image forming device may switch the operation mode to a job mode and perform operations according to the job mode. - Operations of each element shown in blocks 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 are examples, and each element may operate in a different order than the shown order.
- Referring to block 5-1, in
operation 1001, thecommunication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from an external device. Here, the predetermined job may include an image forming job, a scan job, a fax job, an operation of installing or updating an application in the image forming device, or the like. - In
operation 1002, theprocessor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the predetermined job request. Inoperation 1003, when the predetermined job is terminated, thecommunication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device. For example, when the predetermined job is an image forming job, thecommunication device 210 may transmit a message to the external device to inform that the image forming job is terminated. - In
operation 1004, thesensor 250 may sense that toner in the cartridge of the image forming device is exhausted and the toner refilling is necessary. Inoperation 1005, theuser interface device 221 may output a notification indicating that the toner refilling is necessary. Inoperation 1006, thesensor 250 may sense that a toner refill container is connected to a connecting portion of the image forming device. Inoperation 1007, theprocessor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode of the image forming device. - Referring to block 5-2, in
operation 1008, thesensor 250 may confirm that toner refilling is performed properly. For example, thesensor 250 may confirm whether the toner refill container is properly connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device. When the toner refill container is not properly connected to the connecting portion of the image forming device, thesensor 250 may output a warning sound. - In
operation 1009, while the operation mode of the image forming device is operating in the refill mode, thecommunication device 210 may receive the predetermined job request from the external device. Inoperation 1010, theprocessor 240 may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress. Theprocessor 240 may determine whether the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation related to the toner refilling. Inoperation 1011, when it is determined that the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation not related to the toner refilling, thecommunication device 210 may transmit to the external device a message indicating that the image forming device is in the refill mode and a message indicating that the requested operation cannot be performed according to the refill mode. Inoperation 1012, when it is determined that the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation not related to the toner refilling, thememory 230 may store the requested predetermined job in a job list. - In
operation 1013, theuser interface device 221 may display toner refilling guide information and state information regarding the image forming device. Inoperation 1014, thesensor 250 may sense that the toner refilling of the cartridge is completed. - Referring to block 5-3, in
operation 1015, when the refill mode is completed or otherwise terminated, theprocessor 240 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device to the job mode. Inoperation 1016, theprocessor 240 may perform jobs according to an order stored in the job list. Inoperation 1017, theuser interface device 221 may display information related to the jobs performed on the image forming device. In addition, theuser interface device 221 may receive a user input related to the jobs performed on the image forming device. - In
operation 1018, thecommunication device 210 may receive a request for the predetermined job from the external device. Theprocessor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the request. Inoperation 1019, when the predetermined job is terminated, thecommunication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device. -
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an operating method of each configuration in an image forming device that performs toner refilling when a user interface device is not included in the image forming device, according to an example. - Referring to
FIG. 11 , the image forming device may include thecommunication device 210, theoutput device 220, thememory 230, and theprocessor 240. Theuser terminal 20 shown inFIG. 11 may perform the same operation as that of the user interface device in the image forming device shown inFIG. 10 . Referring to block 6-1 ofFIG. 11 , the image forming device may perform a preparatory operation for entering a refill mode before an operation mode of the image forming device enters the refill mode. Referring to block 6-2, while the operation mode of the image forming device is entering the refill mode, the image forming device refills a cartridge with toner, and may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed. Referring to block 6-3, when the refill mode is terminated, the image forming device may switch the operation mode to a job mode and perform operations according to the job mode. - Operations of each element shown in blocks 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 are examples, and each element may operate in a different order than the shown order.
- Referring to block 6-1, in
operation 1101, thecommunication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from an external device. Inoperation 1102, theprocessor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the predetermined job request. Inoperation 1103, when the predetermined job is terminated, thecommunication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device. Inoperation 1104, theprocessor 240 may detect that toner refilling is necessary. Inoperation 1105, theoutput device 220 may output a notification indicating that toner refilling is necessary. - In
operation 1106, theuser terminal 20 may receive information indicating that toner refilling is necessary from the image forming device and display the information. - In
operation 1107, theprocessor 240 may perform a preparatory operation for entering the operation mode of the image forming device into the refill mode. - Referring to block 6-2, in
operation 1108, theprocessor 240 may control operations of each element of the image forming device so that toner refilling may be performed. Theprocessor 240 may confirm whether the toner refilling is being performed correctly. - In
operation 1109, while the operation mode of the image forming device is operating in the refill mode, thecommunication device 210 may receive the predetermined job request from the external device. Inoperation 1110, theprocessor 240 may control operations of the image forming device such that only an operation related to the toner refilling may be performed as the refill mode is in progress. Theprocessor 240 may determine whether the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation related to the toner refilling. Inoperation 1111, when it is determined that the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation not related to the toner refilling, thecommunication device 210 may transmit to the external device a message indicating that the image forming device is in the refill mode and a message indicating that the requested operation cannot be performed according to the refill mode. Inoperation 1112, when it is determined that the predetermined job requested from the external device is an operation not related to the toner refilling, thememory 230 may store the requested predetermined job in a job list. - In
operation 1113, when the toner refilling is terminated, theoutput device 220 may output a notification indicating that the toner refilling is completed. - In
operation 1114, theuser interface device 221 may display toner refilling guide information during the toner refilling and display information indicating that the toner refilling is completed and state information of the image forming device when the toner refilling is completed. - Referring to block 6-3, in
operation 1115, when the refill mode is terminated, theprocessor 240 may switch the operation mode of the image forming device to the job mode. Inoperation 1116, theprocessor 240 may perform jobs according to an order stored in the job list. - In
operation 1117, theuser terminal 20 may display information related to the jobs performed on the image forming device. In addition, theuser terminal 20 may receive a user input related to the jobs performed on the image forming device. - In
operation 1118, thecommunication device 210 may receive a request for a predetermined job from the external device. Theprocessor 240 may perform the predetermined job according to the request. Inoperation 1119, when the predetermined job is terminated, thecommunication device 210 may transmit information about a result of the predetermined job to the external device. - The operating methods of the
image forming device 10 and theuser terminal 20 described above may be implemented in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing instructions or data executable by a computer or a processor. The examples can be written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use digital computers that execute programs using the computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD+Rs, CD-DVD-Rs, DVD-Rs, DVD-RWs, DVD+RWs, DVD-RAMs, BD-ROMs, BD-Rs, BD-R LTHs, BD-REs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, magneto-optical data storage devices, optical data storage devices, hard disks, or solid-state disks (SSD), and may be any device capable of storing instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures, and providing the instructions or software, associated data, data files, and data structures to a processor or a computer such that the processor or computer may execute the instructions. - Although the examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made therein. For example, the relevant results may be achieved even when the described technologies are performed in a different order than the described methods, and/or even when the described components such as systems, structures, devices, and circuits are coupled or combined in a different form than the described methods or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.
- Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should be defined not by the described examples alone, but by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims (15)
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KR10-2018-0068402 | 2018-06-14 | ||
KR1020180068402A KR20190141519A (en) | 2018-06-14 | 2018-06-14 | Controlling operration of image forming apparatus according to refill mode of toner |
PCT/KR2018/012377 WO2019240333A1 (en) | 2018-06-14 | 2018-10-19 | Controlling operation of image forming apparatus according to toner refill mode |
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Family Cites Families (19)
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JPH0944037A (en) | 1995-07-26 | 1997-02-14 | Canon Inc | Operation part for image forming device |
JP3471997B2 (en) | 1995-11-16 | 2003-12-02 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming device |
JPH1055100A (en) | 1996-08-09 | 1998-02-24 | Minolta Co Ltd | Toner supplying device |
DE19642570B4 (en) | 1996-10-15 | 2007-08-16 | OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH | Devices for supplying toner |
JPH11327274A (en) | 1998-05-08 | 1999-11-26 | Canon Inc | Image forming device |
JP2000227704A (en) | 1999-02-08 | 2000-08-15 | Canon Inc | Developer supply device, developing device and image forming device provided therewith |
JP2000310903A (en) | 1999-04-27 | 2000-11-07 | Canon Inc | Image forming device |
US6275664B1 (en) * | 2000-04-25 | 2001-08-14 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Predicting supplies required for completion of unattended print jobs |
JP3711898B2 (en) | 2000-08-10 | 2005-11-02 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | Printing device consumable purchasing system, program thereof, and printing device consumable purchasing mode presentation method |
US6859634B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2005-02-22 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Toner refilling device and developing device using the same for an image forming apparatus |
JP2005338386A (en) | 2004-05-26 | 2005-12-08 | Canon Inc | Color image forming apparatus, supply indication display method, and program |
JP4380461B2 (en) | 2004-08-10 | 2009-12-09 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP4732893B2 (en) * | 2005-12-27 | 2011-07-27 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
JP4916039B2 (en) * | 2009-12-24 | 2012-04-11 | キヤノンファインテック株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP5489770B2 (en) * | 2010-02-17 | 2014-05-14 | キヤノン株式会社 | Printing apparatus, control method, and program |
JP5170182B2 (en) | 2010-07-28 | 2013-03-27 | コニカミノルタビジネステクノロジーズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus, replacement toner cartridge management apparatus and system, fixing control program, replacement toner cartridge management method and management program |
JP5307200B2 (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2013-10-02 | シャープ株式会社 | Toner cartridge support device, image forming apparatus using the same, and toner cartridge support method |
US8660442B2 (en) * | 2011-10-31 | 2014-02-25 | Xerox Corporation | Method and apparatus for premature consumable replacement detection on printing systems |
JP6015069B2 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2016-10-26 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
-
2018
- 2018-06-14 KR KR1020180068402A patent/KR20190141519A/en unknown
- 2018-10-19 CN CN201880094626.XA patent/CN112313583A/en active Pending
- 2018-10-19 US US17/051,867 patent/US11226577B2/en active Active
- 2018-10-19 EP EP18922788.7A patent/EP3729198A4/en active Pending
- 2018-10-19 WO PCT/KR2018/012377 patent/WO2019240333A1/en unknown
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EP3729198A4 (en) | 2021-08-11 |
CN112313583A (en) | 2021-02-02 |
EP3729198A1 (en) | 2020-10-28 |
WO2019240333A1 (en) | 2019-12-19 |
US11226577B2 (en) | 2022-01-18 |
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